Lobbying: The Constitutional Right of Pretty Much Anybody

In analyzing the influence of private money on public policy, a great deal of attention is given to large special interest groups. Everyone has heard about Big Oil and Big Pharma. However, very few people know about the influence of fringe organizations such as “Big Golf” or the Australian meat lobby. Here is a round-up of some of the more unusual lobbying groups seeking to affect government policy in 2008–and what they’ve spent so far to achieve their goals.

Bird Shippers of America ($10,000) – This organization is exactly what it sounds like–an interest group that focuses exclusively on protecting “the right to ship live birds, of various types, through the United States Postal Service.” Condolences go out to the two lobbyists who had to bring this up in conversation with members of Congress.

Pink International ($40,000) – One of Serbia’s most popular TV stations focuses on bringing U.S. programming to Eastern Europe. With an agenda that includes showing reruns of “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “The Simpsons,” we can only hope that Pink was able to put its $40,000 in lobbying money to good use.

BooShoot Gardens ($10,000) – The company motto says it all: “Bamboo that Behaves.” BooShoot Gardens is a breeder and wholesaler of new strands of bamboo. With expenses of $10,000 so far in 2008, the bamboo lobby has not seen influence of this magnitude since the likes of Thurston Howell III.

Australian Meat and Livestock ($20,000) – The obvious question is why does the Australian farming lobby need to petition U.S. lawmakers on issues regarding “Agricultural Services/Products?” The answer may be the recently unveiled fleet of weed-busting robot helicopters the Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation built in collaboration with the University of Sydney, which has also worked on similar devices with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Office of Naval Research.

City of Treasure Island, Florida ($30,000) – A community of less than 7,500 people that has $30,000 to burn lobbying the federal government would be called Treasure Island.

American Beekeepers Federation ($20,000) – From the organization’s website: “While you are busy with your bees, the ABF is keeping tabs on what’s happening in Washington of special interest to beekeepers and getting the information to you.” Finally, an organization that protects my right to get busy with my bees.

Golf ($75,000) – In an attempt to combat the sport’s image as the pastime of rich people with too much time and money on their hands, the golf lobby has spawned four interest organizations that have spent a combined $75,000 thus far this year lobbying the government on golf and golf-related issues.

American Greyhound Track Operators Association ($30,000) – “One of the nation’s largest spectator sports” is a confusing moniker for an activity that is illegal in 34 states. The AGTOA is hoping $30,000 in federal lobbying money can help sway lawmakers’ opinions on the idea of competitive dog racing.

International Natural Sausage Casing Association (< $10,000) – Obscure meat components have never been so powerful. Sausage casing is the layer of stuff around sausage meat that gives the dish its tube shape. With the advent of plastic, collagen, and cellulose alternatives, the INSCA is fighting to ensure that meat is packed with only the finest, all natural “submucosa,” “layer of the intestine.” Yum!

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